Shalom and Welcome

Through a roster of cutting edge programs and projects we provide for the spiritual and cultural needs of thousands annually in Southern California, the USA and Israel. Your contribution will help us expand and reach even more.

About

We undertakes a wide variety of activities and projects ranging from providing classes and an afternoon minyan to the local area, to sending rabbis to isolated communities and organizing youth gatherings.

Posted on May 2, 2018 by admin in News | Comments Off on Beth El is Building Community and Strengthening Jewish Connections

Thanks to the support of the Alevy Family, Beth El is proud to support the latest edition of Camp Neshama, program for Jewish singles in their 20s and 30s created by JConnect and Pico Shul. The program which takes place in Running Springs, CA, from May 25-28, 2018 at the Dovid Oved Retreat Center, provides over 100 young adults with a summer-camp themed retreat each year.

Since these retreats began, over 1,000 Jewish singles and young families have participated strengthening their connection to Jewish heritage and the Jewish community.

The grant also enabled the creation of a brand new website at campneshama.org making it easier for Jewish singles from around the region to learn more about the exciting program and various activities.

Camp Neshama is a new retreat where you can relax, enjoy camp-style activities, nature, and an inspiring Shabbat experience with other Jewish young professionals. (from the website)

The Pico Shul recently celebrated the marriage, in Florida, of the 25th couple to marry thanks to the Pico Shul. This couple met at one of the Pico Shul programs two years ago. She was from Florida and had come to LA to visit. They dated long distance for a year before getting engaged. They will settle in South Florida.

Building Jewish families is one of the keys to sustaining and growing the Jewish community. The Pico Shul’s unique role as both a spiritual and cultural center for Jews in their 20s and 30s, makes it especially conducive to matchmaking.

Guided by the Booksteins, these couples develop life-long commitments to Judaism and the Jewish People.

Pico Shul, which attracts hundreds of young adults and families each month, has now opened a dedicated center for Jewish life and learning. The Center, located at 9116 W. Pico Blvd, will host classes, services, and office space in collaboration with Community Shul.

The first exciting Shabbat was standing-room only and we expect great participation at this great new venue.

Classes start on Tuesday, June 7th and will be held 3-4 a week during our first month.

We are grateful to the many families that have stepped up to make this all possible and to the Community Shul for their help!

Through SoCal Jewish Student Services and SoCal Jewish Young Adult Enrichment’s Rabbi Drew Kaplan, students and young adults in the greater Long Beach area were recently enriched through the holidays season. Beginning with a pre-Rosh HaShanah “Torah on Tap” discussion for Beach Hillel, Rabbi Drew led a discussion on the holidays of the Jewish calendar for students at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

In addition to leading Rosh HaShanah dinner for Beach Hillel, Rabbi Drew taught a class about shofar-blasting, then blasted shofar on the first day of Rosh HaShanah

For Rosh HaShanah, prior to Beach Hillel’s Rosh HaShanah dinner on the second night, while it was still day, Rabbi Drew led students in text study on shofar-blasting, which was appropriately followed by a blasting of the shofar, which was especially useful for those who had not heard it that day. Following the shofar-blasting, there was a dinner for the second night of Rosh HaShanah, at which Rabbi Drew MC’ed. Read More

Posted on July 16, 2015 by admin in Classes | Comments Off on Rabbi Drew Kaplan Led Monthly Discussions for Students at CSULB

Rabbi Drew Kaplan speaking with Long Beach Hillel students at a “Torah on Tap” discussion this past academic year

Over the course of this past academic year, Southern California Jewish Student Service’s rabbi, Rabbi Drew Kaplan, led monthly discussions with students at California State University, Long Beach. Collaborating with Long Beach Hillel, Rabbi Drew led three monthly discussions in the fall semester and a further three monthly discussions in the spring semester. The fall semester featured discussions on judging, demons, and conduct of war, while the spring semester featured discussions on sex, kosher food, and Leviticus 19.

Circle of Neshamas is Pico Shul’s monthly musical Kiddush Levana in the park. This transformative evening of drumming, music & connection in Cheviot Hills Park for Kiddush Levanah, sanctifying the moon, started in the winter and has proved a great success.

Participants bring instruments embark on a journey by singing niggunim (wordless melodies) and other Jewish songs beneath the canopy of the night sky… all are welcome!

We conclude with worlds of Torah, kiddush levana ceremony, and a collective evening services lead by Rabbi Yonah.

Shabbat is a time to connect spiritually and with community. At Pico Shul we strive to make Shabbat services as meaningful, enjoyable, and welcoming as possible. For many who are turned off from synagogues, or have not found a spiritual home, Pico Shul provides an alternative space for personal spiritual exploration.

Begin your Shabbat morning with coffee, tea and cake. Enjoy our user-friendly morning services at 9:45. We break at 10:20 for L’chaim and Leanring and then read from the Torah and have Musaf services. Every week you can find powerful life lessons and inspiration from Rabbi Yonah’s sermon. After services taste the delicious kiddush, make a l’chaim and mingle.

got-cholentPico Shul serves the best cholent in town – both carnivorous and vegetarian options.
We have a running commentary in English so you always know where you are in the siddur. We pause at transitions in the service for inspirational “kavanot” and have a Torah commentary offered before Torah reading.

User-FriendlyNo previous Shabbat Morning experience is necessary, all prayer books are in Hebrew and English, and our non-judgmental atmosphere means that you can come as you are!

Pico Shul Shabbat programming is as enjoyable for the experienced and inexperienced alike!

Posted on January 7, 2014 by admin in News | Comments Off on Rabbis Yonah and Drew at Jewlicious Festival, Feb 28-Mar 2, 2014

Beth El Synagogue’s Rabbi Yonah and Rabbi Drew are among the organizers and presenters at this year’s Jewlicious Festival. The Weekend features speakers, workshops and music for young adults 18-36 from around Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Southern California. The event takes place February 28 – March 2, 2014, aboard the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.